historical journey

[Robert David Christian]

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I am trying to find my old mans history from a urchin on the douglas I-o-m harbour,to finishing at sea in the sixties and a lot of life inbetween,there seems quite a hiatus between 1931 and 1945!!??,where was he?,was he a spy?did he do a runner?,why do we not ask questions when people are alive?,any help or advice welcome thank you.

[gray_marian]

Hi Robert, welcome to the site. Could you tell us your father's full name and date of birth please.

[Robert David Christian]

Hi Robert, welcome to the site. Could you tell us your father's full name and date of birth please.

hi my old man was named Robert Edward Christian, DOB 30/06/1907, douglas, I-o-m. payoff book number; R93362.
There seems to be a big gap between 1930 and 1945 and I was wondering if anyone would take any guesses as to his whereabouts.

[gray_marian]

Hi Robert, can only find him on the Myrmidon, see below, which you have already. Only two Christian's in the National Archives b 1907
Can you suggest any country you suspect he may have lived in between 1931-45 or thereafter?
Any idea of his employment in the years that followed?
Still to check FMP [find my past] so keep looking in.

Name: Robert Edward Christian
Gender: Male
Nationality: British
Departure Place: Surabaya, Java
Arrival Date: 30 Apr 1931
Arrival Place: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Ship: Myrmidon
Rank Jr assistant steward: H:5'4,1/2" W132lbs serving 6mths.

[Robert David Christian]

Hi Marian,i have his payoff book as you know this tracks him from 1930 to 1970 with his last boat being the "manxmaid",the break from 1930 to 1945 is both strange and intriguing and i really have no idea where he was for these years,thank you for your kind help in this strange hunt.

[Robert David Christian]

We have a pic of my old man with one of my two sisters in his arms on Douglas promenade with my mother,this pic was taken with him in full royal navy uniform and i think it dates around 1942/3, SO it seems he must have come ashore in 1930 (the depression!?) and joined the RN for the duration of WWII, BUT on searching RN records for WWII i cannot find him anywhere!, my old man's life journey gets murkier every which way i turn,cheers guys.

[Hugh]

he must have come ashore in 1930 (the depression!?) and joined the RN for the duration of WWII, BUT on searching RN records for WWII i cannot find him anywhere!

Hi Robert and welcome,

That is because RN records are not online. You need to apply to the Ministry of Defence for them - cost £30. Details here: https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military...-elses-records

Regards
Hugh

[Robert David Christian]

Hi Robert and welcome,

That is because RN records are not online. You need to apply to the Ministry of Defence for them - cost £30. Details here: https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military...-elses-records

Regards
Hugh

Thanks Hugh,have you applied for these forms?, it (the form) seems to imply no -charge if you satisfy direct descendant criteria, how do you read this Hugh?,i would gladly pay £30 if necessary but i am unsure!.

[Hugh]

Hi Robert,

Read it as free if spouse still alive or parent if no spouse - so I guess you will need to put up the £30 quid. Give as much information as you can and it may take a few months so you many need some patience.

Regards
Hugh

[Robert David Christian]

Hi Robert,

Read it as free if spouse still alive or parent if no spouse - so I guess you will need to put up the £30 quid. Give as much information as you can and it may take a few months so you many need some patience.

Regards
Hugh

Hi Hugh I have now acquired a copy of my old man's death certificate and printed of the forms,the only thing I cannot supply is his service number,which I have never ever known! I shall get this of and see what happens,thanks again.